Friday - Aaaaaaaaaaaand the bolts are BACK! Thing is, the point counts aren't, and I'm kinda wondering what the heck, here. Anyhow, we got the mini-kid coming in tonight, and other than that, today is likely pretty free-form.

My Audi service is similar as well so I buy the 4 year package at around $1,800 or something like that.

My wife insists on going to dealer for everything even though I have a very close friend that has a shop and he owns a few nice cars. I think I posted a pic before with my wife’s car and one of his 458.

My Audi service is similar as well so I buy the 4 year package at around $1,800 or something like that.

My wife insists on going to dealer for everything even though I have a very close friend that has a shop and he owns a few nice cars. I think I posted a pic before with my wife’s car and one of his 458.

Holy moly, Pat's comment about the stealership is spot on. My GTI holds just under 5 qts of oil, and it's about $25 for 5 qts of Mobil 1 full synthetic 0W-40 (VW 502 DOT-approved) at the local Walmart. $10 for the oil filter from an online VW shop. Last alignment I had was I think $90 or so? Hope you can find a way out of going to the dealership for everything, or at least that particular one, because $1k for an oil change and alignment and wipers is basically legalized theft.

My limited understanding is that there is a 5% national VAT in Canada, and most provinces/territories tack on 8% sales tax (13% "harmonized sales tax"). Not sure if there may also be any municipal sales taxes added to those.

US does not have a VAT, and some US states like New Hampshire do not impose state or municipal sales taxes (or state income taxes).

Those prices still seem high, but the lower value of Canadian money and higher taxes on consumer goods will further distort that pricing in US perspective.

My limited understanding is that there is a 5% national VAT in Canada, and most provinces/territories tack on 8% sales tax (13% "harmonized sales tax"). Not sure if there may also be any municipal sales taxes added to those.

US does not have a VAT, and some US states like New Hampshire do not impose state or municipal sales taxes (or state income taxes).

Those prices still seem high, but the lower value of Canadian money and higher taxes on consumer goods will further distort that pricing in US perspective.

Forgot about all that, by my math $950CAD converts to about $620US after taxes and conversion rates. Still stupid expensive for an oil change, alignment, and wiper replacement.

Saturday - Starting out COLD this morning at 15°F, which is about as cold as this winter has been to date. This afternoon will probably see my gal and I get our tax stuff delivered to our new CPA, and I will likely spend the rest of the afternoon watching the XFL. Not cosmic or nuthin', but it works!

While you friends to the north were reporting cold temps and snow, we've been sweating down here. Until yesterday high temps were mid to upper 80's f. High today 75 f, then back into the 80's next week. Citrus orchard is about to go into bloom, time to fertilize, looks like spring is here.

Flying to San Francisco tomorrow and driving down to Laguna for the Lucas open wheel race event. Splitting the difference on temps with daytime in the mid 60's and nights in the high 40's. Will happily take that over single digits before the wind chill.

Indeed, it does go quickly, and I think my wife enjoyed it as much for the character development and interaction as I did that plus the great racing scenes. Just got it the other day on 4k and it is a TREAT!